Safeguarding
Our school is committed to ensuring the welfare of every child:
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We have a culture where our children know they will be heard; we listen to and thoroughly investigate any allegation or disclosure from a child.
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All staff have regularly updated Child Protection and safeguarding training.
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It is the responsibility of all adults to safeguard and promote the welfare of pupils
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We foster a culture of openness and support and have in place a Whistleblowing policy to ensure there are clear procedures in place for dealing with allegations against staff which are in line with our Local Safeguarding Children Board’s procedures
Rufford's Designated Safeguarding Lead is: Mrs E Tilley - Head Teacher
Our Deputy Safeguarding Leads (Deputy DSLs) are:
Ms A Ciasullo - Assistant Head Teacher and SENCo
Mr P Crosthwaite - Assistant Head Teacher
Mrs L Plant - HLTA and Pastoral Mentor
Ms P Laight - Headteacher's PA and attendance officer
Ms M Gallahan - Pastoral Manager
Our Safeguarding Team attend termly update meetings and regular training in all aspects of Safeguarding, including Prevent, Domestic Abuse, Neglect and Early Help and where applicable Safer Recruitment.
Every other member of staff in school including teachers, teaching assistants, lunchtime supervisors, site team, Governors and the office staff have Level 1 Safeguarding Training as a minimum, with many team members having furthered their training in other aspects of safeguarding children.
SAFEGUARDING AT RUFFORD – it’s everyone’s responsibility.
Here is a link to our Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy:
If any parents, families or visitors have concerns about the welfare or safety of any children from Rufford Primary School, please contact any of our Safeguarding leaders without delay.
You can also contact the children’s services referral and advice service on 0300 555 0050 during office hours (9am – 5pm) or the Emergency Duty Team on 0300 555 8574 (out of hours). If you feel a child is in danger, you must call 999.
Here is the link for Dudley's Safeguarding website:
Dudley Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (Front Door)
Cause for Concern
Our first priority is of course your child’s welfare and school is required to take any reasonable action to ensure the safety of its pupils. There may be occasions when we have reason to be concerned that a child may be subject to ill-treatment, neglect or other forms of abuse. We will ensure that our concerns about a child are discussed with his/her parents/carers first, unless we have reason to believe that such a move would be contrary to the child’s welfare. In this case, school is obliged to follow the Child Protection procedures and inform the Social Services of the concern.
Our Early Help Offer
Rufford Primary School works to provide Early Help to those children and families in the school community with emerging needs, which may not be appropriate for Social Services intervention. Early Help means providing support to our children and families as soon as a problem emerges, at any point in a child’s life.
We understand just how complicated family life can be. From time to time, there may be situations where you need some extra help and support. If things are not right at home, please come and talk to us.
We can help in many ways.
Here is the link to Dudley's Early Help Offer:
Useful Websites
Support for Parents
Childnet International - parent/carer Toolkit
Childline- coping with anxiety, stress & panic
Anti-bullying - https://www.ditchthelabel.org/bullying-support-hub/
Keeping your child safe - NSPCC Talking about difficult topics Talking about drugs and alcohol
NSPCC - keeping your child safe online
NSPCC - Preventing self -harm
NSPCC - Supporting your child's mental health
NSPCC - Home or Out Alone guide
Support for Teachers/Schools - PSHE Association guidance
https://www.pshe-association.org.uk/news/guidance-discussing-terrorist-attacks-your-pupils
Childline- coping with anxiety, stress & panic - worries about the world
Online Safety
At Rufford, we teach online safety through out PHSE curriculum, our Computing curriculum and through discrete lessons and assemblies. We also celebrate Safer Internet Day each February. We have written Acceptable Use Agreements that are age-appropriate for all of our children. Please, see the links below:
We share regular Online Safety updates and information with families in our Newsletter.
Here are some other useful links:
www.ceop.police.uk/safety-centre